ORAT AB ION LL O W C I T H N I

Volume 5 Issue 3 Summer 2019

INSIDE Message from SISD Supt. Dr. José Espinoza The 2018- 19 school year may be nearing completion, but the progress and success in the So- corro Indepen- dent School Dis- trict certainly is not slowing down. Our continuous work to ensure all Team SISD students are pre- Learning the ropes pared for college, careers, and life Area pro athletes teach has been fruitful with meaningful youth sports skills and engaging activities for every- 9 one in the community. It was awesome to see hun- dreds of SISD high school seniors complete the enrollment process at the SISD Operation College Bound enrollment event at all comprehensive high schools in the Free college classes in SISD district. A big thank you to our awe- some partners the University of 3 new early college programs set to open Texas at El Paso and El Paso Com- The Socorro Independent Texas Education Agency allowed in a postsecondary environment, munity College for making this another successful event. School District will open three Team SISD to move forward with earn college credit and achieve SISD was the first in the region new early college high school pro- the launch of three more early high levels of success.” to start this initiative to get students Chico turns 5 grams at the start of the 2019-20 college high school programs,” The district currently has 1,465 on the right path to college by pro- The Chihuahuas’ mas- school year. Early college high said Superintendent José Espi- students enrolled in the district’s viding them on-site, convenient school programs give students noza, Ed.D. “This shows that we current four early college pro- cot on his birthday 10 services with friendly, one-on-one the opportunity to graduate from want equity in SISD. We want the grams. This year, Socorro Early assistance from UTEP and EPCC high school with up to 60 college same kind of opportunities for all College will celebrate its first co- staff – all without students ever credit hours or an associate de- students.” hort of graduates. having to leave their high schools! gree, along with their high school SISD opened Mission Ear- “Our Socorro Early College With new early college high diploma. ly College High School, the first students will earn their associate’s school programs opening at East- The Empire Early College at program of its kind in the region degree in May, prior to their high lake High School, Pebble Hills High School and El Dorado High El Dorado High School, the Fal- and one of the first in the state, in school graduation June 1,” said School next school year, Team con Early College at Eastlake and 2006. The district opened three Diane Duncan, Socorro Early SISD will provide even more the Pebble Hills Early College more within a three-year span – College director. “Many of them opportunities for students to get each will welcome 135 incoming Socorro Early College in 2015, will be first time degree holders ahead and save money. freshmen from their feeder areas Rams Early College in 2016, and in their family. They’ve worked The early college programs al- to the program. With the opening Trailblazers Early College in 2017. hard, and we know this is a phe- low students to earn free college of the new early colleges, SISD “We are thrilled that our feeder nomenal thing for our students credits and an avenue for them to Harley Farley will be the only district in the re- pattern will provide our students a and community!” earn their associate degree at the gion to have an early college high K-16 environment,” said Vanessa same time as they earn their high Our zombie’s birthday school program in each of its com- Betancourt, principal at El Dora- SISD student online registration school diploma. party adventure 14 prehensive high schools. do High School. “Our scholars Starting with opportunities for open now - page 27 students at all age levels is import- “We were very excited that the will have the opportunity to learn ant, too. Which is why we have kept our Tech-E Program, also in partnership with UTEP, in full force to give more than a thousand elementary and middle school stu- dents hands-on experience with digital learning and new technol- ogy. Of course, providing state-of- the-art facilities for our students and staff is critical in their success, as well. We are proudly making excellent progress in Bond 2017 to keep up with the growth and im- Aspiring writers prove maturing facilities in Team PBS Kids Writers Con- SISD. test winners 21 Cactus Trails Elementary School, our first Bond 2017 proj- ect to be completed, will be ready in July for students in the Pebble Hills area of Team SISD. We can’t wait to welcome the Diamond- backs! Before that though, I look forward to celebrating all our student’s achievements with the many end-of-year celebrations and, most notably, our Class of GET SOCIAL WITH SOCORRO ISD! 2019 graduates in June. FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/SocorroISD YOUTUBE: youtube.com/SocorroISD I invite everyone in Team Comic book reads INSTAGRAM: @SocorroISD SMUGMUG: sisdphotogallery.smugmug.com How comics can help SISD to help us celebrate, and I TWITTER: @SocorroISD, @SISD_Espanol E-NEWSLETTER: www.sisd.net/enews thank all of you for making Team young ones read 26 SUPERINTENDENTʼS TWITTER: @JEspinoza_SISD WEBSITE: www.sisd.net SISD – The Right Choice for End- SUPERINTENDENTʼS WEB PAGE: www.sisd.net/superintendent less Opportunities! 2 Summer 2019 El Paso Kids Inc.

Cactus Trails Elementary to open for 2019-20 school year More Bond 2017 projects to begin construction soon

he Socorro Indepen- dent School District Twill celebrate the com- pletion of its first Bond 2017 project, Cactus Trails Ele- he Socorro Inde- “It’s a pretty cool sight to More than 800 elemen- as part of the Bond 2017 students from James P. But- mentary School, and begin pendent School see it rising from the ground tary students from Pre-K to program. ler and Cactus Trails. construction on 21 others this T District will open up,” said Leslie Thomas, 5th grade are expected to It has been designed “The atmosphere will be summer. The $448.5 million its newest campus, Cactus who will be principal at enroll at the district’s new similar to Sgt. Jose F. Car- perfect for learning,” Thom- capital improvement program Trails Elementary School, Cactus Trails. “Opening a elementary school. It will rasco Elementary and Pur- as said. “It will be ready to addresses the district’s acceler- on July 29, the first day new campus will be a first serve the rapidly expanding ple Heart Elementary with offer students endless op- ated growth and its maturing of school for the 2019-20 for me, much like all the east side of Team SISD and an open-area concept for portunities to succeed.” facilities. school year. students who will be attend- alleviate James P. Butler El- collaborative teaching and To learn more about The new elementary school The school’s mascot will ing our new school. It’s like ementary School. learning. Cactus Trails Ele- Cactus Trails Elementary, will be completed in July and be the Diamondbacks and I am a kid all over again on The $28.4 million facil- mentary will have 10 addi- visit the school website at will open to welcome some its colors will be teal, grey my first day of school. It’s ity, located at 14701 Ralph tional classrooms to serve https://www.sisd.net/cac- 800 students in grades Pre-K and white. amazing.” Seitsinger Dr., is being built as a Pre-K hub school for tustrailses. through fifth at the start of the 2019-20 school year. Cactus Trails will have a design simi- lar to Sgt. Jose F. Carrasco Ele- SISD Operation College Bound event mentary School, with an open- space concept and flexible, collaborative learning spaces. gets seniors enrolled in college The 21 projects that will he Socorro Indepen- roll out this summer are 16 dent School District, in elementary school auxiliary T partnership with El Paso gyms, a new support service/ Community College and the technology center, improve- University of Texas at El Paso, ments at Americas, El Dorado, kicked off its second annual Op- was set up in the gyms, class- “The remarkable thing about and Montwood high schools, eration College Bound (OCB) rooms and computer labs at El Paso, and what we are known and the Socorro High School enrollment services for seniors the schools. EPCC and UTEP for all across the country, is we renovation. this spring at all six comprehen- staff guided the students and have the three pieces of the aca- “We’re excited to be mov- sive high schools in the district. an exciting time obviously for answered questions. SISD high demic ladder working together, ing forward with construction Team SISD seniors were able our school district,” said SISD school administrators and coun- happily, smoothly, friendly and of Bond 2017 projects,” said to finalize the enrollment pro- Superintendent José Espinoza, selors also assisted. cooperative,” Natalicio said. “We Tom Eyeington, chief oper- cess to attend EPCC and register Ed.D. “I cannot thank the Uni- EPCC President Dr. William know the role our institutions ations officer. “Our commit- for new student orientation for versity of Texas at El Paso and Serrata was excited to have the must play to ensure that high ment to Promises Made, Prom- UTEP at their own high schools El Paso Community College community college participate school is not the stopping point.” ises Kept does not waiver. We on March 26 and April 1 through enough for the partnership that for a second year. Arianna Estrada, a senior at work diligently to deliver the 5. we have and for allowing this to “We want to instill a college Socorro High School, attend- best facilities that our students, Last year was the first time happen for our students.” going culture in our community. ed the event at her school. She parents, staff and community the successful OCB process was The OCB event gave SISD This program helps students en- wanted to make sure she was en- members deserve.” conducted in any school district seniors the ease and conve- roll and receive the information rolled at UTEP. Construction for the new in the region. It showcases the nience to enroll in college in a they need to make a successful “It’s helpful because it really auxiliary gyms will begin endless opportunities provided familiar environment with assis- transition from high school to pushes the student to think,” Es- in May at Benito Martinez, by Team SISD to ensure stu- tance from representatives from higher education,” Serrata said. trada said. “It hits us all with real- Campestre, Elfida P. Chavez, dents are prepared for success in the college and university. SISD UTEP President Dr. Diana ity. There also were no long lines, Escontrias, H.D. Hilley, Helen college, careers and life. seniors attended an enrollment Natalicio noted that the program no waiting for hours or going Ball, Horizon Heights, Hueco, “This was an exciting time day at their school. They were is innovative not just in El Paso, from building to building. It was Loma Verde, Lujan�Chavez, for seniors, for their parents and led through the process, which but the country. all done here. I’m ready to go.” Myrtle Cooper, O’Shea Kele- her, Robert R. Rojas, Sgt. Roberto Ituarte, Sierra Vista SISD graduations set SISD leader and Vista del Sol elementary schools. The state-of-the-art for May 31-June 1 facilities will have 4,360 square The Socorro Independent receives awards feet of flexible space for vari- School District will celebrate the ous school functions. success of more than 3,400 high for commitment The improvements at school seniors who will complete Americas, El Dorado and their high school education at the to technology, Montwood high schools will 2019 commencement ceremonies enhance the cafeterias, science from May 30 to June 1 at the labs, some classrooms, fine arts Don Haskins Center at UTEP. students and staff areas and Career and Techni- Options High School will have its ocorro Independent cal Education facilities. The completion ceremony at the school. School District Superinten- highly anticipated reconstruc- Sdent José Espinoza, Ed.D. tion of Socorro High School TEAM SISD GRADUATIONS earned two major awards this will begin in June and will spring for his dedication to en- include new facilities and im- Thursday, May 30 at sure all SISD students are pre- team mentality to treat and edu- Espinoza, who received a doc- provements of existing parts of Options High School pared for the future. cate all students as if they are our torate in educational leadership the building. 10 a.m. high school gym In January, Espinoza was own children.” at the university, for making sig- Construction for the support named the 2018-19 Tech Savvy The superintendent was nificant contributions in the field services and technology addi- Friday, May 31, at the Don Superintendent by the Texas K12 awarded the Tech Savvy award of education and providing out- tion will start in July. The new Haskins Center CTO Council at the Texas Asso- for promoting and supporting in- standing service and leadership facility will house the district’s 8 a.m. Mission Early College ciation of School Administrators novative technology in the class- for all students and staff. Network Operations Center High School (TASA) Mid-Winter Conference room. He has been a leader in Under Espinoza’s leadership, (NOC), library services, in- 11 a.m. Americas High School in Austin. In March, he received integrating digital learning and Team SISD has experienced un- structional technology, student 3 p.m. El Dorado High School the 2019 Sam Houston State Uni- the latest technological resourc- precedented student achievement support personnel, PEIMS, 7 p.m. Pebble Hills High School versity Distinguished Educator of es to improve student learning, and academic gains. Most nota- district programmers, manage- the Year award. empower educators, and ensure bly, SISD is one of only three ment data services, and will be Saturday, June 1 at the Don “Our focus never wavers from SISD students are prepared for among the largest 50 districts in used for district and public Haskins Center ensuring our students are truly a technology-based, global soci- the state to earn the postsecond- meetings and events. 9 a.m. Socorro High School prepared for college, careers, and ety. ary readiness distinction in the For more information 1 p.m. Montwood High School life,” he said. “Team SISD is an The recognition from SHSU’s Texas Education Agency’s latest about Bond 2017 projects, vis- 5 p.m. Eastlake High School incredible school district with a College of Education honored school accountability ratings. it www.sisd.net/bond2017. El Paso Kids Inc. Summer 2019 27 SISD student online registration now underway arents in the Socorro In- and policies through this conve- dependent School District nient and secure resource. P may register their children To pre-register, parents should for the 2019-20 school year on- visit the district website, www. line using the Tyler Student 360 sisd.net, select the Parent Tab, portal. The online registration click Online Registration, and log process is available now through in using their Parent Portal cre- the summer for all current SISD dentials. Online registration must students. be completed on the district web- The Tyler Student 360 portal site. It is not available on the dis- SISD student- gives parents instant access to trict’s mobile app. For help with their child’s student information online registration, or to access athletes win all online or via the district’s mobile your Parent Portal credentials, app. Families can review student contact your child’s school. data, update their contact infor- New students to the district at designated Pre-K hubs and el- designated home campuses. Click three local 2019 Flo mation, track homework assign- must register in person at their ementary campuses that serve on the SISD street search to see ments, update medical records, home campus. Registration for Pre-K. New kindergarten reg- which school your child should at- Hyman Awards and review district information Pre-K students is also available istration also is available at the tend based on your home address. emale athletes in the Socorro Independent F School District won Students persevere, succeed all three 2019 UTEP Athletic Department Flo Hyman Awards for their contribution at annual SISD Spring Games and participation in academics, he Socorro Independent School District had its 33rd annual athletics, and leadership. The Spring Games, one of the district’s most popular events, on April students were recognized at a 3 at the Student Activities Complex. One thousand student- special banquet and at the UTEP T athletes, representing every Team SISD campus, participated in track basketball game on Feb. 23. and field events demonstrating their talent, skills, and perseverance. The three SISD student- Elementary, middle, and high school students were cheered on by athletes that won the awards hundreds of enthusiastic parents, volunteers, and community members were Kylah Dickerson, fourth- during the opening ceremony parade and throughout the games. The grade student at Lujan-Chavez SISD Spring Games is endorsed by Special Olympics Texas giving Elementary; Nevaeh Buntyn, an student-athletes the opportunity to compete in statewide competitions. eighth-grade student at Sun Ridge Middle School; and Riley Perez, a senior at El Dorado High School. They were among 51 female athletes in El Paso nominated for the recognition that is awarded in three categories – elementary, middle, and high school. The award pays tribute to Flo Hyman, who was captain of the 1984 U.S. Olympic volleyball team and took an active role in promoting opportunities for women athletes.

SISD, UTEP Tech-E SISD teacher, student honored provides positive by state for ecological efforts Socorro Independent Barraza, who experiences School District art teacher earned a $2,500 collaborative program be- Aand a student were recog- scholarship, was tween the University of nized by the Texas Commission on one of six finalists ATexas at El Paso and Socor- Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for in the 9th-12th ro Independent School District, their eco-friendly grade category which exposes SISD students to efforts. for the TCEQ a wide-range of technologies with El Dorado Take Care of real-world, hands-on experiences, High School ed- Texas Video Contest. Her video re- is going strong in its third year. ucator Candace ceived 413 views and was voted the More than 1,000 WIN Acad- nity for our students to enhance home for them now. I want the Printz was named best by the public, TCEQ commis- emy students from second to their educational experience,” students to know this is their cam- the 2019 Environ- sioners and Waste Management of seventh grade and 48 teachers said Jessica Macias, SISD school pus. Tech-E has far exceeded what mental Educator of the Year as part Texas, Inc. representatives. have spent a Friday every two improvement officer. “It gives the we expected.” of the 2019 Texas Environmental The video won because it cre- months this school year partici- WIN students the college experi- Students are so curious and Excellence Awards while Domi- ated awareness on environmen- pating in Tech-E, the innovative, ence and how to use technology learning way beyond their lessons, nique Barraza, a student at Pebble tal protection and provided tips award-winning program that effectively. It’s such a positive.” he said. They create video games Hills High School, won the TCEQ on how to keep our air and water demonstrates technology used to- SISD was the first school dis- and other programs. It’s not just Take Care of Texas Video Contest. clean, conserve water and energy, day and in the future. trict to take advantage of the pro- technology in use. Math and sci- Printz was recognized for her and reduce waste. The students from 15 SISD gram that began in the fall 2016, ence are behind it as well. creative conservation efforts with “I am really grateful for this ex- schools spend the day at UTEP said Mike Pitcher, Tech-E coordi- “It’s a different style of learn- her It’s Your World clean-up, re- perience and I’m hoping that ev- to learn the importance of cyber nator and UTEP’s director of ac- ing,” Pitcher said. “It’s self-em- cycling and art project. She was eryone will see the importance of security, how to use a 3-D printer, ademic technologies. Each year, powered. They learn they can awarded a $2,500 grant to go to- taking care of the environment,” and how to build, program and a different cohort was added. For have a great idea and then create ward the It’s Your World project. Barraza said. “It’s good to know play games on a Raspberry Pi, a the 2019-20 school year, another it.” She was credited for educating stu- that my video will motivate young credit-card-sized computer that five campuses will be welcomed Cesar Raygoza, 9, loves work- dents and the public, for utilizing kids and young adults to help the plugs into a keyboard and mon- to the program bringing the total ing on the Raspberry Pi and what volunteers and for creating conser- environment and lead by exam- itor. They also get to hear about amount of WIN Academy stu- he is able to accomplish with it. vation projects. ple.” careers in STEM (Science, Tech- dents to 1,300. “It’s exciting to come to UTEP,” “This is an honor,” Printz said. Printz and Barraza will be rec- nology, Engineering and Math). “It’s been really exciting,” said Raygoza, a third-grader at “I hope that this attention can pro- ognized at a banquet on May 15 as As an added benefit, students get Pitcher said. “We know our stu- Jane A. Hambric School. “I never pel our future efforts with the Its part of the TCEQ Environmental a taste of university life. dents and they know the staff. thought I could make a computer Your World Project club and other Trade Fair and Conference at the “It’s the best possible opportu- They feel comfortable here. It’s and see it work. Wow!” environmental efforts.” Austin Convention Center.